Ishmeet Singh

A Tribute to Ishmeet Singh (1989-2008)

The voice of India is no more. As the news of the death of 19-year-old Ishmeet Singh trickled in on Tuesday evening, the reaction of fans and well-wishers across the country was that of shock.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/sikh-personalities/26063-ishmeet-singh.html

Reports said Ishmeet died in a swimming pool in Male, the capital of Maldives, where he had gone for a promotional event.

A resident of Shastri Nagar, Ishmeet gave up his studies to pursue a career in music. After receiving the news, relatives, friends and unknown people thronged his house to pay tributes. Atamjit Singh, a close family friend, said: “I cannot digest the news. I met him this Sunday when he was home. He was upbeat about how his career was shaping up. He had vowed that one day he would sing for A R Rehman. And what has happened is unbelievable. I wish we had not let him go.”

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who happened to be in the city, visitied the family late on Tuesday and condoled the death.

Arshpreet Kaur, Ismeet’s co-contestant from Ludhiana said: “Harshit Saxena, whom Ishmeet has beaten in the finals, broke the news to me. I could not believe it at first but once I saw the news on the television, I just sank.”

“He used to say Arshpreet didi, I have a lot to learn from you. Even, Lataji used to say that he had a great quality of voice and a unique power. He rose to stardom so early and was a promising singer,” said a tearful Arshpreet.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26063
Ishmeet shot to fame last year after he won the Voice of India title, beating his closest rival Harshit Saxena. He was probably the first and the only sabut surat Sikh who made a mark in the glamour world. In his visit to the city during a contest, Ishmeet had recalled: “Many on the show asked me to shave my beard and get a hair cut to better my chances of winning the contest. But I refused. I wanted to win just the way I am.”

Ismeet had done a number of shows in the city and at Guru Nanak Public School where he studied. The news of his death was unbelievable for many who attended his last performance in the city on July 27 at Kothari Resorts.
No sooner did Ishmeet occupy the stage during the programme held to mark the conclusion of first Diagnostic Cardiology Summit, that the whole atmosphere turned lively.

“It was such a nice change when Ishmeet took over the stage. We were all listening to ghazals and slow music was being performed live on the stage. Yet, when he came in his performance changed the whole mood of the evening and in the next five minutes, almost everyone present around me was on dancing,” recalled Aman Sharman, an employee of Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

The tragedy has cut short a promising life but Ishmeet will live in the memories of his fans who will best remember him as the man who sang in the long golden brown coat to pick up the Voice of India trophy.

 
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To commemorate the fond memories of legendary teen singer, Ishmeet Singh, whose life was cut short by a twist of fate a year ago, Ishmeet Singh Trust - formed at the initiative of the state Chief Minister, Parkash Singh Badal, is organizing a musical commemoration – “Tribute to Ishmeet Singh” - at Guru Nanak Bhawan in Ludhiana on 29th July from 7 pm to 9 pm. Prominent among the participating celebrities are Ishmeet’s Voice of India co-contestants Abbhas, Priyani and Irfan–who were always appreciative of the singing talent as well as humility of Ishmeet Singh. These artists specially flying in from Mumbai will bring with them the love and memory from Bollywood of all those with whom Ishmeet Singh got associated.

L’ll Champ Prince of Patiala, Rohanpreet Singh along with the winner of Waar Parivar contest Haneet Singh of Maosere Bhai fame will also be there to applaud the inspirational role and contribution of Ishmeet Singh in fostering young Sikh talent in the world of music and performing arts. Vipul from Amritsar, who was a strong contestant for Voice of India-II, will sing songs as will Gurleen Kaur and Manjot Singh – the talented cousins of Ishmeet Singh.


This memorial function could not be complete without the participation of Ishmeet’s mentors and so we will have Prof. Sukhwant Singh of Jawaddi Taksal, who taught him classical vocal music, Aashim who groomed him for bollywood songs and as well as his uncle Dr. Charan Kamal Singh a music director and singer who refined him with finer tips of quality singing.


In addition there will also be poetic tributes and multimedia presentation of the life sketch of Ishmeet Singh.


While still in his teens, with the dint of his hard work, grace of God and unflinching support of music lovers across Punjab, India and the world, Ishmeet Singh became an international star. His fame became a rallying point for Sikh talent to be recognized and nurtured by various institutions at the state, national and international levels.
A web space will be launched during ‘Tribute to Ishmeet Singh’ for one and all to pay tributes from anywhere in the world in order to recall the voice which enthralled the music lovers across borders and that still reverberates whenever there is talk of the role of Sikhs in performing arts.


Jathedar Hira Singh Gabria, the state’s Culture and Tourism Minister and Vice Chairperson of the Ishmeet Singh Trust will preside over the function and K J S Cheema; Special Secretary to Chief Minister, Punjab shall be the Guest of Honour. Vikas Garg, DC, Ludhiana and Chairman, Management Committee of Ishmeet Singh Trust shall offer vote of thanks.



ISHMEET SINGH TRUST


Moved by the death of Ishmeet Singh, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal had said at his bhog that, “there was a unique pull in his voice and overall personality which led one and all to sit glued before television screens and it is very painful to know that he is no more.” Committing to do everything to perpetuate his memory so that others are inspired, it was decided to set up the ‘Ishmeet Singh Trust’.


The Chief Minister of Punjab is the chairperson of the Governing Body of Trust, with the Cultural affairs Minister as its ex-officio Vice-Chairperson. The Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department shall ex-officio be the Secretary of Governing Body. The Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana shall ex-officio be the Joint Secretary of the Governing Body. Dr. Charan Kamal Singh, uncle of Ishmeet Singh is Convener of Governing Body of Ishmeet Singh Trust.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26063


There are many other musical stalwarts who are members of the Governing Body of the Trust and who have promised to make all out efforts to provide impetus to the legendary contribution of Ishmeet Singh. These include Singh Bandhu, Hans Raj Hans, Bhai Baldeep Singh, Prof. Kartar Singh, Mrs. Dolly Gulleria, Bhai Harjinder Singh, Pr. Sukhwant Singh, and Jasbir Kaur Khalsa.


A Management Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Ludhiana has been set up to manage the affairs of the Trust. The members of the Management Committee include Pr. Sukhwant Singh, Prof. Kartar Singh, Jasbir Kaur Khalsa, Bhai Harjinder Singh, S. Ranjodh Singh and Er. Gurinderpal Singh. Ishmeet Singh’s uncle Dr. Charan Kamal Singh, who networked far and wide and played a key role in garnering support for Ishmeet Singh during the Voice of India contest is the life-time Secretary of the management Committee of the Trust.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26063


An entrepreneur Ranjodh Singh and an expert architect Gurinderpal Singh are also the members of Ishmeet Singh Trust to monitor the infra-structural development of projects to be undertaken by Ishmeet Singh Trust.


The primary focus of the Ishmeet Singh Trust is the formation of ‘Ishmeet Singh Music Academy’ for which effective steps are underway and which should see the light of the day in less than a year.

Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26063
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=26063
This poem was penned on the night of 29th July, the day Ishmeet died. It was recorded on 31st of July after his creamation. It appeared in DAILY AJIT on 3rd of August, the day of his Antim Ardaas.

Added afterwards : This video was played on the 20th Birthday of Ishmeet Singh at Ludhiana, in a function organised by Govt. of Punjab. S. Bikramjit Singh Majithia,S.Hira Singh Gabria and family members of Ishmeet Singh were present. Renowned Singers Hans Raj Hans, Harbhajan Mann, Wadali Brothers, Gurmeet Bawa, Dolly Guleria, Manpreet Akhtar, Lakhwinder Wadali and Paali Detwalia paid musical tribute to the late Ishmeet Singh.